Windows Shares access Error Windows 7 (Troubleshooting Steps)

Unable to access Samba shares from Windows 7 with error


Below are some brainstormed shopping list for the troubleshooting.

Suggestions:

1. Basic IP

Though this is a basic step but worth mentioning. If the error occurs with the server name, try connecting with IP address. If it works, it could be DNS issue.

2. Check Firewall

3. Services

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper service should be set to Automatic and Started.

Try starting Computer Browser service, if its not.

Try to stop and disable the Routing and Remote Access service, if its started


4. Network Card Binding Order

A. Check the binding order. Go to network connections, go to Advanced menu then select Advanced Settings…


B. Select the network connection you are using and move it to the top


C. Click OK and exit.


5. Enable 'Client for Microsoft Networks'

In network connections, go to the properties of network connection which you are using to connect to the server. Ensure that the 'Client for Microsoft Networks' is checked.



6. Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP

A. Open the properties of the network connection, select Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties button.

B. On the new page, click on Advanced… button at the bottom.

C. Click on WINS tab and under NetBIOS setting , select Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP and click OK to exit.


7. Select Authentication level

Check the below mentioned policy on Windows 7: Group policy editor:

Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options\ Network security: LAN Manager authentication level

Ensure that it is not set to refuse LM & NTLM authentication or set to use NTLMv2 only. To be safe, you can select the following setting which enables LM, NTLM and NTLMv2 authentication: Send LM & NTLM - use NTLMv2 session security if negotiated


Note: Ensure that this policy is not coming from Domain level group policy.

And, if you are using Home or Home premium edition and do not have Group Policy editor then do it in registry:


HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa

Value Name: LmCompatibilityLevel [DWORD]

Set the value to: 1

Reboot your system.



8. SMB Signing

Disable SMB signing and try:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanManServer\Parameters

Value Name: EnableSecuritySignature [DWORD]. Set the value to 1.

Value Name: RequireSecuritySignature [DWORD]. Set the value to 0.



9. Disable SMB 2.0

Disable SMB 2.0 on Windows 7 and try again. Disable SMB 2.0 at client end:
•Open the command prompt (cmd.exe) and type the following two commands:

c:\>sc config lanmanworkstation depend= bowser/mrxsmb10/nsi
c:\>sc config mrxsmb20 start= disabled